Saffron II – Strength of Mind and Body

The air was cold.

It was an odd thing to note, Slate knew, but the inside of the Saffron Gym was surprisingly cold. It may have been that he spent almost two months living in the wilderness, that he spent hours every day sweating and toiling under the summer sun, but Slate half-expected the Gym to be hot. It was not and he wasn’t certain how he felt about that.

Slate had only made one stop on his way to the Gym since leaving Siba's company yesterday: The closest Pokémon Center to the eastern entrance of the city, where he had his Pokémon checked over and used the shower he desperately needed. After sending a quick message to update Maggie, Slate collapsed on the softest bed he’s ever had and slept until his irritated Flaaffy shocked him awake. A quick check of the clock on the wall and a handful of Berries from a bowl by the door, and Slate was on his way.

The doors to the Gym slid shut behind Slate as he walked forward. He was well aware that both of the Gym Trainers manning the desk were staring at his jacket, at the emblem of Siba's house that the man had insisted he had pin there. He had only done so for one reason: While he wore it, he was a member of the Saffron City Gym as a Gym Trainer. And at some Gyms with a rich and proud history, that meant there were laws that predated the Pokémon League that must still be obeyed.

“I challenge Gym Leader Lee under the Ancient Ways to determine The Path.”

Siba had explained it to Slate before the young man had left. Typically Trainers would gain Badges by challenging and battling the Gym Leaders of Kanto for recognition. They could also be awarded them for completing a service, be it personal or local, that the Gym Leader approved of. But there was a third way for a Trainer to earn a Gym Badge, and it was by serving as a Gym Trainer.

Every Gym had different standards and requirements for Gym Trainers. Some, like Pewter City, were so lax the only requirement was to be a registered Pokémon Trainer. Others, like Viridian, were so strict it was restricted to Trainers who had already earned eight badges and proved themselves to the Gym Leader. There were many different reasons and motivations for becoming a Gym Trainer but most did so because of one of two reasons:

The first was they were not capable of earning the Badge through other means. They allowed themselves to be the low man on the totem pole, performing grunt duties and generally being the punching bags for any wandering Trainer or other Gym personnel to train on until the Gym Leader decided they could move on. For some Trainers that could even take months although there were always rumors of Trainers being stuck in that position for years.

The second type of Gym Trainer were those who were studying a specific Pokémon Specialization. They served to further their own knowledge, train their skills in their chosen typing, and spend much of their time behind the scenes training and taking care of the numerous Pokémon each Gym had on hand. They would often serve for the duration of their studies, only leaving once they earned the right to call themselves a Specialist.

Slate was not acting as either type of Gym Trainer currently.

According to Siba there was a third, much more esoteric use of a Gym Trainer. In ancient times they were chosen as champions within Gyms who had larger power structures, those more specifically split between differing doctrines. The Gym Trainer in this circumstance would be used as a champion by the branching doctrine to challenge the main branch for the right to become the new main branch. Siba had calmly informed Slate that in the past these Gym Trainers were often killed violently in retaliation, hence the need for a sacrificial Mareep.

Fortunately for Slate, the modern era was much calmer and more civilized and he only needed to be concerned with being physically beaten unconscious. Siba had declared his skills adequate enough to keep him upright long enough for Machop to complete the real challenge, which as per Saffron's Gym history and rules, was to be a one on one bout with the Gym Leaders chosen Pokémon.

Siba had Slate do his Gym Challenge this way for several different reasons, of which he only shared one with Slate. Slate was to show Siba's brother Lee that his pursuit of raw physical power destroyed the basics one must know and understand in order to become truly powerful.

Slate knew this coming battle would not be easy but he was determined to succeed. Plus, he wanted to prove to himself and Siba that the older man's time had been well spent and that he had been a diligent student.

“Uh,” one of the Gym Trainers said, frantically clicking on the screen in front of him. “We have a slot open in four days.”

“I haven't seen you before, when did you become a Gym Trainer?” the other one asked.

Slate smiled but it was not kind. “You misunderstand. Master Siba has sent me forth to challenge Master Lee in the ancient ways.”

The two Gym Trainers were silent. “Why do the weirdos always come in on our shifts?” one whispered out of the corner of his mouth.

This time Slate frowned but was saved by answering by a third Gym Trainer appearing. He barely glanced at Slate's face, instead staring at the emblem on his chest. Then he sprang forward.

Slate reacted instantly, twisting to the side. He struck back with his elbow on the man's extended arm, forcing it wide. He punched forward with his opposite hand, to hit the Gym Trainer in diaphragm, to force him back and down.

The Gym Trainer instead slid past Slate’s blow, ending up behind him. Slate turned but knew he was now in a bad position, with the two Gym Trainers behind the desk rising to follow the third's lead in attacking. He would have to get creative.

He backed up into the desk, rolling over it. He kicked a chair toward one of his opponents, tripping them while he threw himself at the second. The man wasn't expecting Slate's aggression and didn't have his hands in the proper place to block, allowing Slate to land a solid hit on his face. He stumbled back.

A kick to Slate's side sent him crashing into the wall. The third Gym Trainer had leaped over the desk, landing an attack in the same motion. He kicked at Slate again who barely deflected it from his groin in time although he would definitely have a bruise on his thigh. The man was relentless with his kicks, forcing Slate to keep blocking while the other two Trainers recovered and joined him in attacking Slate.

It was too much. Slate could fend off the strikes of one but three meant one of his sides was always exposed to another hit. He found his ability to block slow down as the injuries built up and Slate knew he had to do something if he was to get out of this brutal beating.

He dropped to the ground.

Slate's sudden collapse caused the three Gym Trainers to over extend in their attacks as he was no longer where he should be. Slate lashed out with one leg at the middle Trainer, smashing into his shin and causing him to collapse on top of Slate with a startled cry.

Slate grabbed him tightly and pushed him toward the Gym Trainer on his left. The man backed up slightly so as to not hit his fellow Trainer, which allowed Slate to quickly roll to his feet just in time for the third Trainer to land a savage right hook to Slate's jaw.

To his credit, Slate only staggered into the wall, dazed from the strike. He shook his head, trying to focus his eyes and he saw three hazy images of a Gym Trainer swinging once more at his face. Slate dropped.

A crunch from above alerted Slate that the Gym Trainer had put enough force into his strike to break a few bones on the Gym’s concrete wall. The Gym Trainer screamed in pain and backed off, cradling his injured hand. Slate turned back to the other two Gym Trainers.

The Gym Trainer that Slate had kicked was holding his shin and Slate was surprised to see it was at an angle. The third Gym Trainer had pulled him aside and was glaring at Slate with his hand on a shrunken Poké Ball. With a click, it expanded to its proper size.

“Enough!”

From a door leading deeper into the Gym an older man appeared. At once Slate could see the resemblance to Siba, although the man lacked Siba's height. Still, a dangerous air rested over the man Slate knew to be Lee, only enhanced by the muscles that strained past the Gym Leader’s tunic.

“What is going on here?” Gym Leader Lee asked.

The three Gym Trainers opened their mouths to reply but Slate answered first. “I am Saffron Gym Trainer Slate and I am here to challenge Master Lee under the Ancient Ways at the behest of Master Siba,” Slate said.

The room was deadly silent as the man looked at Slate, slowly evaluating him. “And why would my brother step away from his political games to bother me with such nonsense?” Gym Leader Lee asked.

For a moment Slate was distracted by the idea of Siba being some sort of government official, filing paperwork and wearing a tie. Not a shirt, because that image seemed ridiculously impossible, but a tie seemed doable. Then Slate realized he should try to focus on the reason why he was here.

“Will you accept the challenge?” Slate asked, ignoring Gym Leader Lee's question.

Gym Leader Lee frowned but smiled a moment later. “I will. Of course, as this Gym only permits the use of Fighting-types I'm afraid you'll have to return when you have one.”

“I have one,” Slate said, wiping the smile from Lee's face.

“Damn right you do, bloody bastard,” the Gym Trainer with the broken leg said. A moment later Slate recognized him as Jake, the Gym Trainer who had held up a PokéMart. He was also the one who abandoned Machop, a fact that Lee seemed to know as well.

“You. You're the one who has my Starter's daughter. You will return her at once!” Lee said, spit flying from his lips.

“No.”

Lee's face grew red. “You will return her or I'll have you arrested for Pokémon Theft!”

Slate jerked a thumb at Jake. “Your Gym Trainer snapped her Poké Ball in half. By the laws of Kanto and the Pokémon League she was officially released. I then legally caught her. In fact, why don't we have her join the conversation.”

Machop appeared in a flash of red light. The Fighting-type looked almost child-like with her new clothing, a series of long red and purple fabrics tied securely about her waist. Her arms were bare, showing off the scarring on the shoulder for the whole world to see. She glared at Lee but locked her eyes on Jake.

Before the watching Trainers she began to glow, evolving on her own violation. Slate knew she had been waiting for this moment for almost two weeks, determined to do it in front of those that had abandoned her, showing them that she could grow strong under a proper Trainer. And she was going to etch it into their minds through battle.

When the light faded Machoke stood slightly taller than Slate. She flexed her new muscles and limbs eagerly, getting a feel for her new strength. The clothes that had looked large on her before fit much more readily now, suiting her new form more. But most importantly of all, the scars that once adorned her shoulder were nowhere to be seen.

Gym Leader Lee had an ugly look on his face. He glared at Slate, gritting his teeth in frustration. “Fine. This way.”

Slate followed the Gym Leader deeper into the building. Almost immediately he found himself in a large dojo, with doors and balconies on all sides. Gym Leader Lee was already to one side, removing his shoes and robes.

“This will be a one on one battle, Slate,” Lee spat Slate's name distastefully, “but while our Pokémon battle, so shall we. My brother thinks you're worthy, so you will prove it but be warned: should you lose, and you will lose, Machoke will be returned to me.”

Slate opened his mouth to refuse but Machoke placed a calming hand on his shoulder. She looked at him with steady, trust filled eyes, and nodded firmly. He slowly nodded back.

“We accept. But when we win I want the recognition that I beat your Gym on the Challenger difficulty. I have defeated several of your Gym Trainers and will be now facing you,” Slate said. He removed his gear, shoes and outer clothes.

“If you win, I'll give you the Champion Badge myself,” Lee laughed, harsh and cold. “Because in order to win you must defeat me and your Pokémon must defeat mine. And my Machamp has fought Champions!”

Gym Leader Lee sent out a Poké Ball and it opened to reveal a Machamp, far larger than Slate's Machoke. It flexed its four arms before staring intently at Machoke. It grinned, grunting at her in greeting, recognizing her as kin.

Slate was distantly aware of more Gym Trainers entering the room, positioning themselves and their Pokémon around the room. It was very ceremonial as Slate and Machoke moved to two red circles, opposite and spaced evenly apart from two blue circles where Gym Leader Lee and Machamp stood. The four combatants stared at one another and the air was thick with anticipation.

A wizened woman slowly made her way to the center of the dojo. “The Ancient Ways have been called and answered. Glory knows no place in this space, only honor. We fight for Saffron!”

“We fight for Saffron!” the watching Gym Trainers shouted.

“We fight for our families!”

“We fight for our families!” the roar came again.

“We fight for our way of life! Begin!”

If Slate had been capable of tearing his eyes away from Gym Leader Lee, he would have seen how the wizened old woman was Teleported to the side of the room by a Kadabra. He would have been impressed that she handled the journey with remarkable composure, not even flinching at the unsettling sensation of being in one place and ending in another. But Slate was only focused on one thing.

Gym Leader Lee wasted no time in closing the distance between them, throwing out a single punch. Slate tried to block it but found himself too slow. The blow landed on one of his ribs and he could feel it crack causing him to shout out in pain.

Slate backpedaled frantically and Lee allowed it, following at an almost leisurely pace. The man seemed confident, more so since he had gotten Slate's measure with that first strike. And Slate could see how an eager smirk played across Lee's face.

Across the dojo, Machamp and Machoke were squaring off. Machoke was punished harshly with every attack, being blocked and counter attacked by the many-armed Pokémon. Slate's eyes were forced to abandon that fight as Lee was upon him.

Slate took initiative that time, stepping forward, as if to kick. Lee stepped to the side, turning his body sideways to present a smaller front. But rather than kick with his leg, Slate lashed out with his fists. Unfortunately, Lee blocked his strikes and forced Slate back.

“Weak,” Lee hissed, kicking Slate solidly in the chest. Slate flew through the air and crashed to the floor. “You have no strength!”

Lee leaped into the air and aimed a knee at Slate. Slate barely rolled to the side in time to dodge the meteoric strike, which dented the dojo's floor. The two men stood facing one another.

Across the dojo Machoke was trapped in a headlock by Machamp, getting pummeled in the face. Machamp had long since abandoned any proper strikes and seemed to be delighting in lording its strength over Machoke. It even abandoned using all of the resources at its disposal, choosing to flex with two of its arms for the cheering crowd.

Slate stepped toward her but found a hand gripping his arm with bruising strength. He was picked up and thrown across the dojo's floor by Lee who glared down at him contemptuously. “Pathetic.”

Frantic, Slate crawled backwards, trying to give himself room. He found himself near the edge of the floor, unfriendly Gym Trainers and their Pokémon smirking down at him in contempt.

He knew he was in a sorry state. The fight with the Gym Trainers, the brutal attacks from Lee, Slate knew it was only a testament to his endurance and pain tolerance that he was still in the fight and both of those were depleting fast.

Slate wondered if Siba knew this would happen. Had this been their plan the whole time? Train Slate up with the delusion that he could win, send him into a fight he had no hope of winning, with his Machoke on the line, so she would be returned to their family. Was that all it was in the end? A trap to regain their Pokémon?

Slate's eyes darted to her, his thoughts racing faster than his approaching doom. She had managed to free herself from the headlock and was swinging wild blows to try to hit her opponent. One of her eyes was swollen shut and she was heavily favoring one of her legs. She refused to give in, to give up.

Neither would Slate.

It didn't matter if this was a trap conceived by Siba and Lee, it didn't even matter that it was a Gym Battle. Slate and Machoke were going to fight with everything they had because they wanted to win this for themselves. And that's all they needed.

Slate rose to wearily to his feet as Lee approached once more. The man was walking almost casually, assured of his own victory. But as the man reached Slate, the young man had an idea, a terrible and ill-conceived idea, but a chance at victory.

“Please...” Slate whispered. Lee paused in disbelief.

“You're begging? I can't believe you're begging. What kind of pathetic child did my brother train?” Gym Leader Lee began to laugh in disbelief, loud and clear and echoing through the dojo. He laughed so hard that it disrupted the fight between Machoke and Machamp who both turned to stare. Even their observers joined in, laughter echoing from every side, filling the air and concealing all other sounds.

Slate lunged.

Slate's fist sunk into Lee's diaphragm, knocking the air out of the laughing man. His eyes opened wide in shock as he fell backwards and Slate followed after him, landing blows on his face, breaking his knuckles on Lee's exposed face. Blood flowed from both of them.

Gym Leader Lee, to his credit, wasn't stunned for long. Gasping for air he blocked Slate's blows with his arms, giving himself room to recover, before violently kicking his feet up.

Ready for it this time, Slate weaved back and seized one outstretched leg. His knowledge of human anatomy aided him here, allowing him to punch Lee’s thigh in such a way that it made the man's leg spasm. Lee wrenched his leg free and rolled away, limping slightly.

“Please,” Slate began again through blood stained teeth, “give me a real fight. If you are the might of Saffron, it is sorely lacking.”

Slate spat a wad of blood between them, staining the floor. Lee grew furious with rage and rushed forward. And still their Pokémon watched.

But Lee's charge was part of Slate's plan. Part of the lessons Siba had given Slate and his Pokémon had been about grapples and throws. They practiced for hours throwing one another to the ground and recovering from the blows, always being pushed to do more and more no matter how tired or sore they may be.

So when Lee lunged for Slate, the young man didn't try to escape it. Instead he used one of the throws Siba had shown him, using Slate as the attacker and Machop the defender. Machop had used Slate's momentum against him, throwing him far into a tree.

Much like how Slate threw Lee into the dojo's wall.

The wall shook at the impact and the Gym Trainers scurried out of the way of their Gym Leader. Stunned and slow to recover, Lee barely raised his head when Slate kneed him savagely in the face, knocking him back. He lunged forward, slamming hammer strikes on Lee's exposed face, mirroring the movements he had spent hours, days, practicing alongside Machop under Siba's guidance.

And that was when Slate finally saw it, what Siba had spoken of. They weren't hammer strikes, they were the strikes from a Machop. Siba even told Slate that his family lived and trained alongside their Pokémon for generations, that Fighting-types learned a style passed down from generation to generation, but he hadn't realized until now what he was learning. He was learning to fight like a Machop.

Gym Leader Lee moved weakly underneath him. The man hadn't moved like a Machop, or anything else for that matter. Just a mindless, reckless rage whose only purpose was to express power, lording his strength over others. But as great as Lee’s strength was, even Slate’s meager skill was enough to triumph over him. Gym Leader Lee had abandoned the tenets of his family, his Gym, and pursued a foolish path. Slate rose to his feet, leaving Lee behind to suffer his defeat.

Slate stood next to his Machoke who looked at him with pride. “Time to end this Machoke. Show him what you can do,” he whispered to his Pokémon. Machamp's eyes darted between Slate and the downed Lee, thinking unknown thoughts.

Machoke nodded, grinning grimly. She raised her arms and assumed a stance she had drilled endlessly for hours, days, weeks. Machamp rushed forward and Machoke met him.

Close as he was now, Slate could feel the force of their strikes. Evolution had given Machoke a much greater size and strength but Machamps were on another level above even that. But as they moved Slate spotted a weakness that his Machoke could exploit.

He opened his mouth to tell her but the old woman caught his eye from across the room. She shook her head at him causing Slate to frown. She shook her head again, more insistently, and Slate realized she wanted Machoke to learn on her own. Reluctantly, Slate stayed silent.

So he watched as the two Fighting-types fought. Machoke focused on the most simple and basic forms she knew, the ones she had practiced the most. They were not big or flashy moves but they were the ones she had the most experience with.

Machamp seemed to waiver between two extremes. At times it seemed to explode with energy and power, delivering hammer blows, but Machoke would dance nimbly away from its attacks. This would cause it to become more cautious, and it noticeably forced itself to try to emulate the forms Machoke would use. But the Machamp’s impatience would catch up to it, causing it to ramp up the power of its strikes and allow Machoke to dance out of the way of its blows.

Slate could see when his Machoke spotted the weakness he saw. Machamp had great strength and power, and its four arms allowed it to strike from many different angles at once. But it also meant that if it wasn't focused on where its own arms were, they'd get in the way, causing it to block its own strikes.

Machoke, being both smaller and lacking an extra pair of arms, slid down and around the rampaging Machamp. She leaped onto its back in a spot where its muscled arms could not reach, wrapping her legs around its torso and locking her feet together. And then she began to strike Machamp's exposed head.

Machamp didn't take this lying down. Two arms gripped her legs in painful vices, pulling as hard as they could to unlock them. The other two arms alternated between blocking Machoke's strikes to trying to rip her off. But the end was inevitable.

Machoke hammered Machamp's head repeatedly, each strike making its arms more sluggish. A moment finally arrived where it stopped moving entirely, standing there dazed. Machoke gripped her hands together tightly, raising them high above her head, and brought them down on her sire's skull.

Machamp teetered forward and Machoke barely unlocked her legs in time. The Gym was silent as everyone stared at the defeated Machamp on one end of the dojo and the still form of Lee at the other. Silence reigned.

“The Ancient Ways have been answered and the Challenger's victory reigns true!” the wizened woman shouted. The gathered Gym Trainers began to buzz and mutter about what that might mean. However, that was not up to them.

Slate felt the soft thump of footsteps through the floor long before he saw him. Siba entered the room and the Gym Trainers bristled slightly but Siba had no eyes for them. He stepped before the wizened woman.

“Hello, mother,” Siba greeted with gentle warmth in his voice.

“Hello, Siba,” Siba's mother said. Her smile was brittle but honest. “Your challenger was adequate but I expected more from someone who trained under you.”

Slate was mildly offended by that. He had won, hadn't he? Nevertheless, Siba shrugged his broad shoulders.

“No one reaches your high standards, mother. It's what's kept pushing us all these years.”

The two shared a small, private smile and laugh. Slate wasn't alone in staring at them oddly but he was alone in speaking up.

“Is the match over?” Slate asked. He was exhausted, bloodied, and in desperate need of medical attention, but he wasn't going to risk losing on a technicality and losing Machoke.

Fortunately, Siba's mother nodded. “You have won, young challenger. You have defeated the Saffron City Gym. Although part of me wishes you hadn't,” she said, trailing off sadly. Slate shot her a bewildered look.

“Why?” he asked.

Siba answered. “Because it means my family's reign has ended. Unfortunate but necessary due to my brother's actions if we are to restore Saffron’s faith in its defenders. You may release your Chansey to heal your wounds, Slate. You will stay to witness what happens next.”

Even more confused Slate did so, releasing Chansey who immediately began to scold him as she began to heal him and Machoke. He bore it silently, knowing it was well deserved, and he was too busy enjoying the pain in his body being reduced to aches to care.

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A throat clearing behind Slate caught his attention. Turning, he saw Gym Trainer Jake, the original Trainer of Machoke standing there awkwardly, his arm wrapped around another Gym Trainer for support. His leg was poorly wrapped to Slate’s eyes but he made no offer to assist him.

“I wanted to apologize. Gym Leader Lee taught us that power was everything but you two took them apart. You're a hell of a Fighter, Slate,” Jake said. He turned toward Machoke who was staring at him with a stony expression. “I wish I hadn't tossed you aside.”

Slate silently considered Jake for a moment. “You would have been a poor Trainer for Machoke,” he eventually said. To Slate's surprise, Jake nodded.

“I can see that now. I've never seen a Pokémon evolve out of spite like that,” Jake said.

Slate had but he didn't want to explain Flaaffy to anyone right now. Instead, he shook his head. “Machoke didn't evolve out of spite or anything like that. She evolved because a willing Trainer helped her grow, guiding and working alongside her to do it. It was a statement that she found someone worthy who would help her do that.”

Machoke gently laid a firm hand on Slate's shoulder, squeezing slightly. She no longer glared at Jake, merely looking at him with disdain and the Gym Trainer took that positively. He seemed to come to some internal decision a moment later.

“I'm going to travel. I want to be a Fighting-type Master, it's why I'm here, but one day I'm going to track down the both of you so we can have a proper battle, so you can see for yourself that I'll be better. You're a hell of a fighter, Slate, so I hope you'll accept,” Jake said, holding out a hand.

Images of another time, another hand, flashed through Slate's mind. A moment later he shook it. “We look forward to it,” he said. Machoke grumbled beside him but nodded.

As Jake limped away Slate turned his attention back to Siba, who was standing over his brother while a Lucario used Heal Pulse on him. Slate walked over.

“What do you want?” Lee asked with a nasty glare on his face. Slate didn't let it bother him.

“I won. I expect you to honor our agreement,” Slate said. Siba raised his eyebrows.

“What agreement?” Siba asked. Lee looked away, leaving Slate to answer.

“As per your instructions, I issued the challenge. But Gym Leader Lee demanded I release Machoke into his care should he win. Because of this, and the fact that I had personally fought three of his Gym Trainers in the lobby before the battle, I added on the stipulation that should I win, I am awarded the Gym Badge for this Gym on the Challenger level. He agreed but raised it to the Champion level.”

“The hell I did. The boy's lying,” Lee spat from his spot on the ground.

“The boy is not,” Siba's mother joined the group, a small brown box in her hands. “You made that dishonorable wager when you had no right to. The Ancient Ways had been called!”

“The boy used words and trickery in battle! He has no honor! The contest should be called in my favor for that alone,” Lee said. Ice chilled Slate's spine at the thought.

Siba's mother glared at Lee. “In that case we should have invalidated it from the start in his favor for your own dishonor! You changed the rules and he matched them! He won at your game as well as by our traditions and thus these belong to you, young man.” She held out the box for Slate to take.

Slate took the simple box and opened it up. Inside the Badges for the Challenger and Champion levels lay, as well as two discs.

“Those are Revenge and Reversal. A fitting lesson for this match as well as its ending,” she explained. Slate carefully took his prizes and returned the box to her but she was already looking at Siba. “Are you sure of your path, Siba? Once done it cannot be undone.”

Siba nodded. “My brother has forced this. I cannot allow him to retain his position and I cannot forsake my duties to look after this Gym.”

Lee struggled to his feet. “You're mad! You're destroying generations of history and tradition!”

“No, brother! You did! And now I must bear the weight of that shame. It is time.”

The doors opened and a stream of Trainers entered the room. Lee's Gym Trainers quickly moved to the other side of the room, their Pokémon closely on their heels. A lone Trainer branched off from the newcomers and approached Siba.

“We challenge this Gym for the right to be the guardians of Saffron,” she said. Slate was startled to realize she was quite pretty. The woman turned slightly to look at Slate, giving him a sly wink and tiny smile but it was gone so quick he thought he imagined it.

“And who the hell do you think you are to challenge me?” Lee said. The newcomer turned to face him.

“Elite Four Trainee Sabrina. I have listened to the Psychic imprint of this world and it has led me to this city to protect it. I have answered that call,” Sabrina said. Slate blinked at that. That she had been an Elite Four Trainee so young, around his age even, spoke highly of her capabilities. This time Sabrina's smile lingered on Slate and he knew it was deliberate.

“You have no right, the Pokémon League has no ruling here! I am the Gym Leader, I am in control!” Lee shouted.

“No, you are not, brother,” Siba sighed. “You have been defeated in honorable combat by my student, who acted where I may not. I accept Elite Four Trainee Sabrina’s challenge for the right to guard Saffron. However, as I cannot act as Gym Leader of this Gym to defend this challenge, it falls to the highest ranked Gym Trainer within its walls. Defend yourself brother for the challenge is about to begin. Perhaps you’ll preserve our family’s honor.”

Lee glared at Siba but his brother was unmoved. Lee then turned his glare on Sabrina who only smirked in his direction, her eyes laughing at thoughts only known to her. He finally turned to Slate who looked back unflinchingly. He finally stalked away, speaking to his Gym Trainers with furious whispers.

Siba turned toward Sabrina. “Are you sure of this, little one? You are more than welcome at the Plateau, regardless of Lance's feelings on the matter.”

Sabrina nodded her head. “I've seen my place here for a long time past and more to come. Besides, the Plateau is too far away from civilization for me to enjoy it. I enjoy the press of minds cities bring, Master Bruno.”

“Then show them your might so that no one doubts your rightful place,” Siba, or Elite Four Bruno as he was known to the rest of the world, said. Sabrina gave Slate another smile before vanishing toward her Trainers in a Teleport.

Siba gestured for Slate to join him, and the young man stood slightly behind his mentor and Siba's mother. “I apologize for the duplicity, young Slate, but I felt discretion to be the better course over the years,” Siba said as they glanced around the dojo. Sabrina and Lee were lining their Trainers up with quick, efficient movements.

Slate nodded. “I understand. I'm not sure how I would have reacted to be honest.” And he didn't. While he knew of the Elite Four, he only knew them as the mythical Trainers that protected the Region under Champion Lance. He had watched their battles like every other Trainer but his attention had never been on the Trainers but their Pokémon, analyzing how they moved and attacked. Giovanni's face and parting words flashed in Slate's mine, causing him to frown.

“What troubles you, young man?” Siba's mother asked.

“At the start of my journey I met Gym Leader Giovanni. He taught me that a Pokémon Battle isn't just between two Pokémon but their Trainers as well. Looking back at how I prepared for my journey, I'm not sure I did the best I could.”

She shrugged. “It doesn't matter. The most prepared adventurer and the stupidest fools have one thing in common: in order to go forward they must go. To wait for the best time, to wait until you know all, will only paralyze you into never going. And where would your journey be then?”

Slate nodded thoughtfully. He turned toward Siba. “How should I address you now?”

“However you wish. I would prefer you kept Siba quiet however, only those I trust know of it. In public, I am content with being known as Bruno, the Fist of Kanto, but in private I prefer the name of my birth,” Siba said. “And now we begin!”

The last word was shouted, echoing through the room. On one side Sabrina stood flanked by six Trainers while Lee stood on the other, flanked by his own. The remaining Trainers stood behind their leaders, solid walls of stony faces set in determined frowns. The dojo was still.

Seven crimson lights flashed on Lee's side, releasing a variety of Fighting-types. Hitmonchans, Hitmonlees, even a Primape, stood there. They moved forward at a blistering speed toward Sabrina and her Trainers who looked on calmly.

In a heartbeat the Fighting-types were across the room and almost upon them. Suddenly, they smashed into an invisible wall, bouncing off it dazed and confused. The Gym around Sabrina and her Trainers wavered as though it were a mirage, before shattering into a thousand tiny slivers. A myriad of Psychic-types revealed themselves in front of their Trainers.

The Psychic-types lashed out with their abilities, picking up and throwing the Fighting-types. But they did not press their advantage, they did not move from their places in front of their Trainers. Slate's eyes narrowed as he contemplated why.

Siba’s mother poked him with her walking stick. “If you think any harder your brain will catch fire,” she said. Despite her mocking tone, Slate could hear the resignation in her tone.

“I'm examining Sabrina's actions,” Slate said, watching how the Fighting-types picked themselves up.

“Hmm. Her actions or her?” Siba's mother asked with a crooked grin. Slate's eyes flickered to Sabrina's, and for a long moment the two locked gazes. Sabrina looked away first, returning her attention to her battle. The Fighting-types charged once more.

Slate watched as they tried to smash apart the barriers before them with their fists and feet, trying to physically break it down. But no matter how hard they hit the barriers, they refused to buckle.

It reminded Slate of how the Psychic Barriers rose during Gym Battles to protect the Trainers and the audience. But those didn't just block physical attacks but non-physical ones as well. Were the Psychic-types somehow overlapping and combining the barriers to create faux walls to stop the charging Fighting-types?

Yes.

Slate flinched as he suddenly heard Sabrina's voice in his mind. He turned his gaze toward her once more to find her staring directly at him. Sabrina, Slate thought. She nodded imperceptibly and her gaze returned to the battle.

Controlling the battlefield is a must for any Trainer, doubly so for those of us who train Psychic-types. But you asked why I haven't pressed the advantage, despite so clearly having it. Have you thought of an answer, Sabrina thought back.

Slate returned his gaze to the battlefield, examining Lee's Pokémon. They look haggard and tired due to their repeated failed assaults on the barrier. But as Slate looked at them it felt like Sabrina's action had a deeper purpose.

He turned his gaze to Lee and his Gym Trainers. They were angry, shouting orders or encouragement to their Pokémon but it might as well have been dust in the wind for all the good it did. Yet Sabrina was demonstrating an overwhelming defense, holding a Gym Leader and his finest at bay, for seemingly no audience.

Except there was an audience. Not even himself but the people of Saffron. All Gym Battles were recorded for official records and some Gym Leaders even permitted those videos to be shared with the public. It helped build morale in the cities that there were strong Trainers available to protect them.

Among other things. But you are correct. This battle could have been won the moment it started but I need to send a message to the people of Saffron that I am the one who can protect them. And the best way to protect someone is to never allow the danger in.

Slate nodded without realizing, agreeing with Sabrina. So when will you finish this?

Soon. However, once it is done I will not have the time to speak to you, so heed my thoughts now carefully. You have won honorably against Lee, and rightfully claimed your Badge. When you begin challenging the other Gyms on the Champion level I hope you will return to test us as I desire to test you. For even though your past is a blank slate to me, snapshots of your future are known to me.

Sabrina paused as if to gather her thoughts. Slate almost asked her to share his future but held back. He would find out on his own time.

Smart and cute, Sabrina thought. Slate blushed much to his mortification. Sabrina's laughter filled his mind. I will tell you two things, Slate: First, you will soon meet an old friend and be set before two paths. The first will lead to happiness at first before collapsing into pain and agony. The second will tear you apart but will make you better for it. I advise you to choose carefully as the splinters that come from this decision lead to the second thing I must tell you.

Slate felt Sabrina's thoughts more clearly in his mind and a glance at her confirmed she was staring intently at him. The Gym around them fell away as he focused as much as he could on her.

I see Ruin in your future. Of a thousand possible paths you may walk, they all end the same way. This by itself is not a tragedy for many people live such doomed lives. However, the Ruin I speak of is not just yours but everyone's. Somehow your failure is the end of everything. Your fall is our fall.

Unease filled Slate's belly but Sabrina was not done. I searched and searched trying to find the reason for this, touching the Psychic Imprint of this world with all of my considerable ability, as well as that of my Pokémon. To our shame, we cannot find the reason, even to this day. So I did the only thing I could do:

I forced myself into the web of your future, by challenging Lee for the right to govern the Gym of Saffron. I sacrificed my inevitable domination of the Indigo League, I cast aside the possible splinters of Fate I could have walked as hero or villain, all so I could deliver this warning to you at a time you would listen to it. All to avert Ruin.

Such is the nature of this Ruin that I cannot even tell you the identity of your foes, their abilities, their faces, nothing. They are as blank to me as you are... Sabrina trailed off but Slate didn't need her to finish her thought for he had the same.

Because we're from the same place. Wherever I'm from, this Ruin comes from as well, Slate thought, looking down in frustration. He nearly jumped at the sensation of a soft hand laying itself on his cheek, pushing his gaze up to meet Sabrina’s eyes once more.

Even if they are, it won't matter. I've seen into the depths of your mind, of your story. This world will need something more than Champions when all is said and done.

Slate was silent, considering Sabrina's words. He knew each was chosen deliberately, that she had gleaned something from what she saw and was trying to impart it on him now. What should I do?

It was a question he knew better to ask but it still slipped through his mind like oil on water anyway. However, Sabrina indulged the question. What you're already doing, what you always do: Thrive in adversity. You are a survivor, Slate, even when everything is against you, somehow you still survive. And now you know you have a great foe, one that will end us all, waiting for you. What will you do to prepare yourself?

Thoughts, ideas, and questions flew through Slate's mind, faster and faster. How do you prepare to face the unknown? How do you fight that which you know nothing about? The words of Siba's mother floated through his mind. I go forward, he thought decisively.

Sabrina gave some unseen signal to her Trainers and they moved forward, marching in unison. Lee and his Gym Trainers had been switching out their Pokémon for minutes now, trying to futilely overcome Sabrina's impassable defense. They were on their last legs and now it was time for Sabrina to act.

Farewell, Slate. I would love to explore your mind more in the future but I have a city to make my own. Make sure to return to me, someday.

One day.

----------------------------------------

Slate limped through the streets of Saffron City. Despite the attention and care his Chansey had given him, he was in desperate need of a shower and rest. He could only imagine what he must look like to the curious citizens of Saffron City walking around in the late afternoon sun covered in sweat and blood.

SLATE!

The mental cry tore through Slate's mind, causing him to stumble to the ground. Mental echoes lingered unpleasantly and Slate had the distinct sense that whomever had tried to speak to him was young and inexperienced. Suddenly, he was knocked over by a small white blob.

I've missed you so much! When did you come back? How long are you staying? Please, don't leave me again! I've missed you! I'm so happy! Ralts babbled in Slate's mind, her tiny white arms wrapped around his neck in a vice grip. And then she began to glow.

Slate watched on in shock as Ralts evolved into a Kirlia, the light of her evolution drawing a crowd of onlookers who watched in silent awe. Each evolution is special, to human and Pokémon alike, and no one would ever dare to interrupt such a sacred moment. The light faded.

She looked like Holly's Kirlia, except perhaps slightly thinner in the arms and legs. But now she was big enough to be the same size as a small child, giving her a longer reach that she gleefully took advantage of. She wrapped her little arms around Slate's neck tight, pulling herself up. And then suddenly, the world distorted around them. Slate flinched and gagged at the unexpected Teleport.

“Good heavens!” Adam Howards said, leaping to his feet. Kirlia had Teleported Slate into their home, dropping him on the couch. Unfortunately, this startled Adam who had been quietly watching the television at the other end of the piece of furniture. “Is that you, Ralts? What did you do now?

Nothing! Slate is here! See? Kirlia broadcasted to everyone. Her reach must have gone beyond the room for Martha Howards soon entered.

“Was that Ralts I heard popping in? She abandoned me in the kitchen while we were making cookies, I feared the worst,” Martha said. She finally spotted Slate laying stunned on the couch. “Oh, you're that Trainer who brought Ralts home. When did you get a Kirlia?”

It's me! I evolved!

Slate finally managed to calm his racing heart and queasy stomach long enough to shove Kirlia off his chest. She whined pitfully. “Sorry for dropping in like this but I hadn't a choice in the matter,” Slate said dryly.

Martha and Adam chuckled. “Think nothing of it, Slate. She's always bringing someone by or showing me some new thing she's found. It's like having another child. Kirlia, let's grab Slate some cookies,” Martha said.

Okay!

Kirlia followed after Martha, twirling happily in small circles along the way. Despite only just evolving, Slate was impressed with how Kirlia was adapting to her longer limbs and idly wondered if there was some genetic memory at play there.

Adam chuckled again once his wife and Kirlia vanished into the kitchen. “Does she do this often?” Slate asked, pulling himself from the couch, mindful to not stain it with his sweat and blood.

The older man nodded, rubbing a hand over his face, before giving Slate a tired grin. “Far too often. She’s become something of a local nuisance ever since she learned how to Teleport other people. It seems like every other day I have a stranger arriving on my couch, not to mention the things she steals because she thinks they're pretty.”

“Have you tried explaining that to her?” Slate asked. “Sorry about the couch by the way.”

Adam waved him off. “Dozens of times but it hasn't stopped anything. She only listens to my wife really. Don’t worry about the couch, we put a sheet under the cover because of moments like this. A few days ago she found a Trubbish of all things” he said shaking his head.

Slate slowly sat back down, mindful of his filthy state. “I know we didn’t meet under the best of circumstances but have you all been alright?” Slate asked.

Adam shrugged. “Not really but that’s the unfortunate nature of these things. My wife and I weren’t much for Battles in our youth but we knew the dangers. You can try passing that knowledge on to your kids but no one can plan for everything. Sometimes things just go wrong,” he finished with a sigh. He slapped his knee.

“I saw the battle, kid, all of Saffron did. Lee always liked to put on a show for us. But the way he attacked you while your Machoke fought Machamp,” Adam shook his head. “Lee wasn’t always that bad. But winning and power has a way of corrupting people. Try to keep an eye on that.”

A tray of cookies appeared on Slate’s lap and a moment later Kirlia landed on Slate’s shoulder, causing him to fall sideways onto the couch. Martha entered the room a moment later, giving her husband a cookie.

I brought cookies!

“Thanks Kirlia,” Slate grunted as he pushed himself upright. She giggled as she fell over. “I hear you’ve been raising havoc.”

Yeah! It’s been so much fun! I found this shiny ball the other day and I spent hours playing with it. It made this most fascinating ringing sound but when I put it down to get some lunch it was gone when I came back! Do you think it was a Pokémon? Did I scare it? Kirlia seemed very distraught at the thought.

Slate was eyeing the almost zen-like Adam while Martha slapped her husband’s shoulder. “I think it went off on its own adventure once it was done playing with you.”

That’s great! So are you staying with us now? You won’t fit in my bed but you can fit in theirs!” Kirlia pointed toward Adam and Martha.

“Kirlia! We can’t keep him!” Martha shouted. She and Kirlia began a rapid and private conversation.

Adam gave Slate a tired smile. “It’s like having another child. You’ll find out for yourself one day.”

If this is what parenthood looked like, Slate wondered how humanity never went extinct. His attention was caught by Kirlia stamping her foot.

But I want to keep him! Why don’t I go with him instead? We can visit, he came back to visit so can I!

Ringing. Even as Martha argued with Kirlia, Slate could hear ringing in his ears. A path split before him, one path leading up to the possibility of safety but soaked in an endless waterfall of blood, jagged bones and teeth jutting out at tortured angles. The other path leading down, soft and calm and ending in a pit of darkness that consumed all but promised the peacefulness of oblivion. The steps were so steep on both paths that a single mistake would send him into that pit regardless.

Slate shuddered even as the ringing stopped, allowing him to focus on the present. He looked at Kirlia and contemplated the choice: To push forward with the idea of taking her along with him, training her as he does his other Pokémon. Or to ask her to stay with her family, to enjoy their love and comfort and to protect their home. Slate had his answer even before the question fully formed in his mind.

“Kirlia,” he said gently. The room quieted as they all turned to Slate. “You belong with your family, Kirlia. I brought you here so you could be with them, not so I could take you away from them. I would never be so cruel as to tear a family apart.”

Tears fell from Kirlia’s eyes. You don’t want me?

“It’s not about want, Kirlia. Your family needs you and you need them. To take you away from them might feel nice in the short term, when you’re excited about the new adventure and experiences, but you will always miss them. It will start small at first, the loneliness, the homesickness, but it will grow. I could never do something so cruel to you or your family.”

The words tore at Slate’s throat and he wasn’t ashamed of the tears in his eyes. He would love to have her accompany him on his Journey, and had Sabrina not spoken to him he would have accepted it without thinking. But he could see that Kirlia belonged here by the way she and Martha held one another. By the pictures on the wall, family pictures that now featured Kirlia in them. By the stack of toys and books to the side that were clearly placed there for Kirlia.

No, Slate would not tear a family apart.

I understand. Kirlia hiccuped as she Teleported to Slate, throwing her arms around his neck. But you better come back and visit me! And no forgetting me!

“I don’t think I could ever forget you,” Slate said, returning her hug. “Take care of your family, yeah? And if you need some training, Sabrina at the Saffron Gym should be able to help you. I think you’ll like her.”

Reluctantly Kirlia allowed Martha to pull her away, holding each other tightly. Slate gave Adam and Martha a respectful nod before showing himself out.

Slate wondered if that had been the correct decision. Would claiming Kirlia as his own Pokémon really end that poorly? Or was it a misdirection? Did Sabrina have plans for Kirlia that necessitated her to stay in Saffron? Slate wrestled with his thoughts as he entered the Pokémon Center.

“I'd like to get my Pokémon checked over,” Slate said to the attending Nurse Joy. She wasn't one he recognized but he smiled politely regardless. He placed his Trainer ID and Poké Balls on the counter.

“It'll just be a moment. Do you need medical assistance,” Nurse Joy asked, eyeing Slate's injuries. He shook his head.

“My Chansey has already done most of it. I just need some sleep but first I have to make a call,” Slate explained. Nurse Joy nodded.

“I'll call out when your Pokémon are ready then,” she said, before vanishing into the Pokémon Center.

Slate walked to the nearby video phones as sat in an empty one. Slowly he typed in Maggie's number and sat down to wait.

Minutes passed as it rang. It was late enough for the inhabitants of the Mt. Silver Pokémon Center to be asleep but there was always someone near the phones, in case an emergency was called. They had to be quick to respond lest someone die.

The call went through but it wasn't Maggie who answered but Grayson, one of the doctors of the Pokémon Center. Slate blinked at him in surprise.

“Kid, you know you're not supposed to fight a Machoke with your face, right?” Doctor Grayson asked.

Slate almost smirked. “I do. Which was why she fought a Machamp while I fought the Gym Leader. Oh, and three of his Gym Trainers. I already forgot about them. How did you know about that, though?”

Doctor Grayson snorted. “Someone made sure all of Kanto saw your bout and Sabrina’s ascension to Gym Leader. We even saw you making Lunatone eyes at her.”

Slate liked Doctor Grayson. The man was an absolute bastard when it came to bedside manners but he was extremely capable when it came to medical issues. He was also Maggie's boss at the Pokémon Center and his professional title was Doctor Joy.

“If you're looking for Maggie she should be in her room resting right now. But I’m not foolish enough to wake her up for you.” Doctor Grayson said. “Besides, some idiot campers wandered off route near Mt. Silver and I’m still trying to fill out that paperwork,” Doctor Grayson explained. Slate winced in sympathy.

“Any casualties?” Slate asked.

Doctor Grayson sighed. “No but one of the idiots lost their legs and another lost a couple of fingers. Some people really don't understand that some Wild Pokémon should not get head pets.”

“Some?” Slate asked in dry amusement. Grayson waved a dismissive hand.

“You know what I mean. Not all of us wander into the wilderness and come back riding a massive Tauros.”

Slate chuckled. “I miss him. He loved to lay on the front couch and snore.”

“You might miss him but no one else does. The day he decided to go back to his people was the fifth best day of my life.”

“What were the other four?” Slate asked.

“Things you’re not old enough to understand yet,” was Grayson’s solemn reply. Slate stuck his tongue out at him. “Hey, have you caught any Pokémon lately?”

Slate almost smirked. “Did you place a bet in the pool?”

“I have no knowledge of any gambling going on in the Pokémon Center,” Doctor Grayson said. He held a responsible posture for a moment before eagerly leaning forward. “Now share.”

This time Slate did smirk. “I thought you banned all betting pools after losing the last time. What was it you had to do? Shave your head?”

“And wear neon yellow scrubs,” Doctor Grayson muttered. “I still don't know how I lost, Vivian definitely should not have been able to fit that many Poffins in her mouth. What are you grinning at, you little bastard?”

The insult washed off Slate's back like water. “She was palming them,” he said. Grayson's eyes widened.

“No!”

“Yup.”

“That liar!”

“Yup.”

“I'll have her working the night shift for the next month,” Grayson muttered to himself. “Well this was a good talk. I'll let Maggie know you called. Do you want me to pass on a message?”

Slate went silent as he struggled with his thoughts. “Could you let her know I miss her? And that she gets back on her feet soon?”

Doctor Grayson's face grew slightly softer but he nodded instead of saying anything in his usual caustic manner. “Do you need to talk to someone, kid?”

Slate snorted. “You're fine, I'm not going to burden you with more work. I have a new appreciation for Joys since becoming a Trainee Joy.”

Grayson's eyes sharpened as if he were a predator looking at a tasty morsel that wandered into his kitchen and laid itself on his plate. “That's right, you passed. When's the next time you'll be coming around, I can put you on the rotation,” he said, already reaching off screen for his planner.

Slate shuddered. “Not anytime soon and I won't tell you when I visit so you can't force me to work!”

Grayson shrugged as he leaned back in his seat. “Bold of you to assume I won't use my League privileges to conscript you when you arrive.”

“Bold of you to assume I won't tell Oscar who keeps stealing his office supplies,” Slate countered. Grayson raised his hands in surrender.

“Blackmail. Maggie raised you well. Well I'll happily tell her you're still an opportunistic brat doing well on his journey. Where are you off to next?”

Slate didn't need to think about it. “Celadon.”

----------------------------------------

Time Tracker:

Days passed in Chapter: 2

Total Days: 159

Trainer Card:

Name: Slate

Occupation: Trainer, Healer, Trainee Joy, Field Healer, Saffron Gym Trainer (Temporary)

Ambitions:

* To find his long lost Starter

* To become a Generalist Master, a Master of all Types

Badges: Boulder(II), Cascade(II), Thunder(II), Marsh(III)

Trophies: Inter-Regional Rookie Tournament Qualifier (3rd)

Carry Limit: 7/14

Key items: Lucky Pebble, Aron’s Rock

Pokémon: 7

Name: Scyther (F)

Type: Bug/Flying

Potential Moves: Counter, Fury Cutter, Air Slash, Focus Energy, Silver Wind, Agility, Roost, Light Screen, Double Team, Bug Buzz

Core Moves: Rest, Swift, Detect, Protect, Substitute, Endure

Name: Alolan Vulpix (F)

Type: Ice

Potential Moves: Moonblast, Ice Shard, Confuse Ray, Draining Kiss, Icy Wind, Mist, Aurora Veil, Freeze Dry

Core Moves: Swift, Rest, Detect, Endure

Name: Lairon (M)

Type: Steel/Rock

Potential Moves: Dragon Rush, Iron Defense, Rock Polish, Heavy Slam, Stone Edge, Dig

Core Moves: Rest, Protect, Swift, Detect, Endure

Name: Chansey (F) (Non-Combatant)

Type: Normal

Potential Moves: Seismic Toss, Life Dew, Drain Punch, Calm Mind, Gravity, Heal Pulse, Soft-Boiled, Trailblaze

Core Moves: Rest, Swift, Detect, Protect, Substitute, Endure

Name: Flaaffy (M)

Type: Electric

Potential Moves: Charge, Thunderbolt, Cotton Guard, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch

Core Moves: Rest, Endure, Swift, Protect

Name: Machoke (F)

Type: Fighting

Potential Moves: Counter, Revenge, Poison Jab, Snore, Close Combat, Bulk Up

Core Moves: Rest, Swift, Detect, Substitute, Endure, Protect

Name: Bulbasaur (F)

Type: Grass/Poison

Potential Moves: Ingrain, Sludge Bomb, Petal Blizzard, Trailblaze, Petal Dance, Leech Seed, Growth

Core Moves: Rest, Swift, Substitute, Protect